the wild west

The trusty Jeep.

Skull Arch:

Running to the car in fear of this rain being faster than we are.

Excuse the title. Sometimes you just can't think out of the cliche, ya know? Here are my favorite 20 (okay, 30+) photos from the trip.

I'd have to say my favorite park we went to was...well, they tie. But for different reasons. I thought Arches had a better hike. We went on a guided tour (ask for Ranger Jon Claussen) which included some jumping-over-caves action. It wasn't anything strenuous, but it was exciting. Ranger Jon had some inspirational talk in him, too. He told us about how he never planned on becoming a park ranger. He went to college in a big city, did the whole work-and-school thing, but decided it wasn't for him. While I'm not planning on dropping out and becoming a ranger (don't worry, mom), he did have a point. So many people spend their whole lives in cubicles working away, and they're lucky if they even have a window. Yeah, I know you have to be able to support yourself and your family, but that's not the point. The point is we realized that this can be an escape. These giant land forms are out there for you to go visit and see and take in, but only if you choose to do so. Pictures don't compare.

Also a side note, if you ever find yourself in Moab, Utah, I recommend The Peace Tree for lunch or dinner. They have a delicious spinach, apple, walnut and goat cheese salad. Their desert nectar smoothie is pretty dang good, too. 

I loved Canyonlands not because of the hike, but because of the destination. After our mile hike out to the look-out spot, there is a giant rock you can climb up and sit on. You're literally on top of the world. Who knows if you're actually supposed to go up there or if we just did it anyway (don't fall off the side...), but it was my favorite part. We all just sat there, drank our waters and admired. There is so much beauty and wonder out there for all of us to see...like I said, only if you choose to take advantage of it.

 When we weren't in Utah, we were hanging out in our cozy get-away condo in Breckenridge, Colorado. Beautiful mountains, town and scenes. Either that or we were in Leadville, Colorado, the highest incorporated city in the U.S. There's a great twelve mile bike ride and it's the home-town of my favorite restaurant Quincy's that we didn't get to go to this time...sad. But next time, friends. Next time.

All in all, there were lots of near-death hikes (thanks, think air), good food, and lovely temperatures with a little rain. Got my break from work because I could honestly use the excuse that there wasn't cell reception, WiFi or a laptop handy. 

And not to mention great family time. I love our annual escape-the-world vacation!